Is tipping an expression of gratitude or a mandatory payment?

Is tip part of the chargeable fee? Is it mandatory or is it a social norm? If the institution expects the customer to tip, why not add that on the original bill?

Isn't the client paying for the product and service already? I love a gesture of appreciation for a good service , but if it's expected how can it be a gesture of gratitude.?

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chubbysteve99 · 51-55, MVIP

depends on where you live in the world.

is the US definitely mandatory due to poor wages
here in Australia, definely and expression of gratitude and is not that common

Renkon · 36-40, M

@chubbysteve99 [quote]US definitely mandatory due to poor wages[/quote]. That could be the reason.

SomeMichGuy · M

@chubbysteve99 Yes, there are people who think that.

However, wages have increased.

chubbysteve99 · 51-55, MVIP

@SomeMichGuy to give you some perspective here basic hospitality wages start at around 18USD mon - fri for inexperienced staff to 26USD for Sundays per hour and for experienced staff it is 23USD Mon - Fri and 32USD for Sundays. at the current exchange rates.

SomeMichGuy · M

@chubbysteve99 There have been increases in the "minimum wage" both Federally--which applies if the State minimum is *lower*--and for many States.

As @DunningKruger very correctly states, some jobs (waiters, waitresses) have been shielded from the minimum because of the notion that "tips are part of the income"...

I was looking at a table of this earlier in the year, and *most* States have minumum wages *greater* than the Federal minimum.

Of course, labor is a market, and jobs are going unfilled, meaning there is a natural upward pressure on pay in addition to *finally* doing something about the minimum wage. The US has allowed minimum wages to languish for YEARS, which means we have not taken care of our "neighbor" by allowing them to make a reasonable wage.

Thanks for the data from Oz! 😊